Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama called on the diplomatic corps who represent the international community to witness the complexities of the current ground situation in the North.

“The military has been and will continue to be cautious in their operations in respect of minimizing civilian casualties,” said the Foreign Minister at a media briefing held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today(18).

Foreign Minister said the eradication of terrorism is not only welcomed by the people in the South but also by people in the North. “It is the duty of the government to listen to the voice of the people and to deliver on the responsibility entrusted to the government by the people,” he added.

He said the government has to continue the ongoing military operations in the North, more importantly, to rescue the nearly 70,000 who are held as hostage by the LTTE.

“The military has achieved tremendous successes and at present the LTTE is confined to a rapidly shrinking area in the Mullaitivu district”.

When asked about the No- Fire Zone, he said the Government has shifted the No-Fire zone to the Mullaitivu coast line. The minister agreeing with the statement of UN Coordinator in Colombo said the Government also strongly condemned the despicable practice by the LTTE of continuing to recruit young children in armed combat.

Since March 01, last year, 35,840 civilians have managed to flee from the clutches of the LTTE. The Minister appreciated the assistance from the UN and the ICRC who are working with the government in providing food, shelter, sanitation, health facilities to resettle these people in a peaceful and secure environment.

Minister also welcomed the statement made by the Co-Chairs calling upon the LTTE to release the civilians and lay down their weapons.

He announced that Sir John Holmes, Under Sectary General for Humanitarian Affairs of the UN will be visiting Sri Lanka tomorrow at the government's invitation to discuss ways and means of addressing the humanitarian issues of concern.